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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to review the literature regarding Withania
somnifera (ashwagandha, WS) a commonly used herb in Ayurvedic medicine.
Specifically, the literature was reviewed for articles pertaining to chemical properties,
therapeutic benefits, and toxicity. DESIGN: This review is in a narrative format and
consists of all publications relevant to ashwagandha that were identified by the authors
through a systematic search of major computerized medical databases; no statistical
pooling of results or evaluation of the quality of the studies was performed due to the
widely different methods employed by each study. RESULTS: Studies indicate
ashwagandha possesses anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antistress, antioxidant,
immunomodulatory, hemopoetic, and rejuvenating properties. It also appears to exert
a positive influence on the endocrine, cardiopulmonary, and central nervous systems.
The mechanisms of action for these properties are not fully understood. Toxicity studies
reveal that ashwagandha appears to be a safe compound. CONCLUSION: Preliminary
studies have found various constituents of ashwagandha exhibit a variety of therapeutic
effects with little or no associated toxicity. These results are very encouraging and
indicate this herb should be studied more extensively to confirm these results and
reveal other potential therapeutic effects. Clinical trials using ashwagandha for a variety
of conditions should also be conducted.
(Altern Med Rev 2000;5(4) 334-346)
Introduction
Withania somnifera Dunal (ashwagandha, WS) is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine,
the traditional medical system of India. It is an ingredient in many formulations prescribed for
a variety of musculoskeletal conditions (e.g., arthritis, rheumatism), and as a general tonic to
increase energy, improve overall health and longevity, and prevent disease in athletes, the eld-
erly, and during pregnancy.1,2 Many pharmacological studies have been conducted to investi-
gate the properties of ashwagandha in an attempt to authenticate its use as a multi-purpose
medicinal agent. For example, anti-inflammatory properties have been investigated to validate
Lakshmi-Chandra Mishra, MD (Ayur), PhD – Professor of Research (Adj.) Los Angeles College of Chiropractic (LACC).
Correspondence address: 16200 E Amber Valley Dr, Whittier, CA 90609-1166. E-mail: lakshmimishra@lacc.edu
Results
A total of 58 articles were
found using the search method de-
scribed above. Research reveals
ashwagandha possesses anti-inflam-
matory, antitumor, antistress, antioxi-
dant, immunomodulatory,
hemopoetic, and rejuvenating prop-
erties. Ashwagandha also appears to
benefit the endocrine, cardiopulmo-
nary, and central nervous systems.
Few articles were discovered on the
mechanism of action for these effects.
Several preliminary studies have been
Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) conducted on animals. A summary of
the findings of these studies is pre-
sented below.
its use in inflammatory arthritis,3-6 and animal
stress studies have been performed to investi- Chemistry
gate its use as an antistress agent.7-10 Several
Since many of ashwagandha’s uses
studies have examined the antitumor and
have not been scientifically validated, skepti-
radiosensitizing effect of WS.11-15 The purpose
cism can naturally be expected when presented
of this paper is to review the literature regard-
with an herb purportedly useful in so many
ing WS and report on clinically relevant stud-
ailments. In Ayurvedic medicine there is a class
ies, in an attempt to establish a scientific basis
of herbs, including WS, known as adaptogens
for the therapeutic use of WS. Results of stud-
or vitalizers. Adaptogens cause adaptive reac-
ies investigating the chemistry and toxicity of
tions to disease, are useful in many unrelated
WS will also be discussed.
illnesses, and appear to produce a state of non-
specific increased resistance (SNIR)10,16 to
Methods adverse effects of physical, chemical, and bio-
This literature review was limited to logical agents. They are relatively innocuous,
published articles and books in the English have no known specific mechanism of action,
language. Four computerized medical data- normalize pathological effects, and are usu-
bases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Man- ally glycosides or alkaloids of a plant.17,18
tis) were searched for the entire duration of The chemistry of WS has been exten-
each database as available on the OVID com- sively studied and over 35 chemical constitu-
puter search service. The following keywords ents have been identified, extracted, and iso-
were used for the search: ashwagandha and lated.19 The biologically active chemical con-
common misspellings (ashwaganda, stituents are alkaloids (isopelletierine,
aswaganda, aswagandha), withania,
Anti-inflammatory
Properties Figure 2: Chemical Structures of Sitoindosides IX and X.
The effectiveness of
ashwagandha in a variety of
rheumatologic conditions CH3 RO
may be due in part to its anti-
inflammatory properties, O O
which have been studied by CH3 OH
several authors. In a study by OH
O O OH
Anbalagan et al,3 powdered CH3
root of WS (1 g/kg
suspended in 2% gum O
CH3
acacia, 50 mg/mL) was
given orally one hour before
the induction of
inflammation by injection of Sitoindoside IX, R=H
Sitoindoside X, R=palmitoyl
Freund’s complete adjuvant O
in rats and continued daily OH
for three days;